A Way of Life in the USA

Connecticut Deer Hunting Season

May 23, 2013 /

Connecticut is a deer hunter friendly state. This can be seen from the fact that the Connecticut deer hunting season last for 120 days. The following is a list of pertinent information regarding deer hunting in Connecticut.

Species of Deer in Connecticut
Connecticut is populated predominantly with Whitetail deer. This state has one of the largest per capita deer population of any other state in the country. In some counties there are 29.4 deer for every square-mile of land in the county. This is due to the fact that there are very few natural predators in the state and that recent winters have been relatively mild. In addition the fact that dear were protected by law for the early part of the 20th century has led to their overpopulation.

Acceptable Methods of Hunting in Connecticut.
Because of the large population of Whitetail deer that exist in Connecticut the laws regarding hunting and the methods used for hunting deer are somewhat lenient. The methods that can be used for hunting deer are the following:

Archery
Legal bows that can be used include longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows as long as they have a minimum drawl weight of 40 pounds. It is also required that the arrowhead must have two blades, must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point. According to Connecticut law it is prohibited to use arrows that are tipped with any sort of drug, or poisoned, or tranquilizing substance.
The use of crossbows is permitted, but only under special circumstances these include use by handicapped individuals and individuals who have special licenses to hunt on private land in specific zones during the month of January. Crossbows that are used in this type of hunting must meet the qualifications of having a draw weight between 125 and 220 pounds. It is illegal to use or possess a firearm while bow hunting in Connecticut.

Hunting with a firearm
The list of firearms that can be used for hunting in Connecticut include shotguns, rifles, muzzleloader, and high velocity air guns. Individuals who use firearms and hunting must be 500 feet away from any building that is used as a residence, or a storage place for flammable material, or as a place for keeping domestic animals. Before using a firearm in hunting for deer, an individual should familiarize himself with the specifications for the type of ammunition, which is appropriate for each type of firearm. It is prohibited to have a loaded firearm in your vehicle.

Connecticut Deer Hunting Permits and Seasons
Connecticut has a generous deer hunting season of more than 100 days. The season for archery hunting begins September 15 of each year, and concludes on January 31 of the following year. Hunting with a bow is restricted to between half an hour after sunrise until sunset. Before engaging in deer hunting with bow one must participate in a CE/FS bow hunting course, or its equivalent from some other state.

Hunting with a rifle or shotgun on private land can be done between November 14 through December 4. Hunters are limited to one deer of either sex, and one antlerless deer. Hunters are required to have a private land shotgun or rifle deer permit, and also a revolver permit if they are playing on hunting with a revolver.

Hunters looking to use a muzzleloader can use this fire arm on private land between December 5 and December 31. The same bag limits apply to a muzzleloader as apply to a shotgun or a rifle. A muzzleloader deer permit and a firearms hunting license for private land is also required by law.

Individuals use looking to use a muzzleloader on state land can do this between December 5 and December 18. Here the bag limits are one deer of either sex. Hunters are required to have the permits for using firearms on public land.

Any content on this site should be used for informational purposes only. It strongly recommended that you consult with additional sources, particularly on information about hunting seasons and legality.

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